Indianapolis Public Schools Newsroomhttps://ipsnewsroom.org
Thu, 21 Feb 2019 05:53:16 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.3IPS Approves Raises for All Employees Up to 22 Percenthttps://ipsnewsroom.org/ips-approves-raises-for-all-employees-up-to-22-percent/
Wed, 20 Feb 2019 12:16:30 +0000https://ipsnewsroom.org/?p=207611(January 31, 2019) — The Indianapolis Public Schools Board of School Commissioners unanimously approved both the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) contract and a resolution for non-bargaining staff. This includes raises and some bonuses for employees in 2019.

The district began addressing compensation improvements in December 2018 with raises for eligible teachers. The recently approved AFSCME contract and resolution for non-bargaining groups continues these efforts by ensuring that all eligible TeamIPS employees receive an increase in their base salary in 2019. This will be the first time some non-teaching employee groups have received a raise in more than 10 years.

Here are details of the increases.

AFSCME Contract

All eligible staff members in this group will receive a 3 percent raise, except:

Food center drivers will receive a 4 percent raise.

Food center workers will receive a 22 percent raise.

A one-time $500 bonus will also be given to employees in the 3 percent raise category who have worked for IPS for 10 years or more.

All Non-Bargained Groups

Eligible staff members in this group will receive a 3 percent raise, except:

IPS police will receive a 10 percent raise.

Elementary and middle school food service satellite managers and assistants will receive an 11.5 percent raise.

High School food service managers and workers will receive a 4 percent raise.

A one-time $500 bonus will also be given to employees in the 3 percent raise category who have worked for IPS for 10 years or more.

“Two months after giving our teachers a substantial raise, we’re excited to be able to reward our remaining 1,700 eligible employees with increased compensation for their hard work and dedication,” said Interim Superintendent Aleesia Johnson. “We hope to continue this path of increased investment in our IPS family in the years to come.”

The higher raise amounts for certain groups help the district move closer to market rate in those specific job categories and increase staff in critical areas. The increases in compensation for AFSCME, non-bargaining groups and teachers are from cash balance reserves and not referendum funds, which do not arrive until June 2019.

More than 40 building-level school winners in the fourth through eighth grades will compete. The winner of the district bee will receive a new iPad, thanks to our sponsor at the IPS Education Foundation.

“My goal is for students to participate in an academic competition, held in a professional atmosphere, which allows each student the opportunity to proudly represent their school,” says Kathy Herald, IPS English Language Arts content specialist.

Top spellers at the district level will have a chance to compete at the Regional Spelling Bee hosted by IUPUI on Saturday, March 16. Bee Week 2019, the final leg of the spelling bee competition, will take place Sunday, May 26 through Friday, May 31 in Washington, D.C. Visit www.spellingbee.com beginning May 1 for detailed information about Bee Week.

WHAT: Indianapolis Public Schools Spelling Bee

WHEN: Friday, January 25, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

WHERE: Arsenal Technical High School — Anderson Auditorium

1500 E. Michigan St. Indianapolis, IN 46201

]]>IPS Students Invited to ICO Performancehttps://ipsnewsroom.org/ips-students-invited-to-indianapolis-chamber-orchestra-performance/
Wed, 20 Feb 2019 11:00:45 +0000https://ipsnewsroom.org/?p=207460In March, members of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra (ICO), along with a guest narrator, will present “Tall Tales and Long Tails,” a program under the direction of Matthew Kraemer, ICO’s music director and conductor.

The program will be presented at 10:40 a.m. Thursday, March 7, in the Caleb Mills Auditorium at Shortridge High School, 3401 N. Meridian St.

Suited for students in Grades 1-2, priority attendance is being offered to IPS students through the Any Given Child program.

“‘Tall Tales and Long Tails’ teaches the connection between English language arts and music,” said Kraemer. “Authors and composers are both storytellers and make important choices in order to create their tale. Both must decide what happens at the beginning, middle and end of their story. But whereas an author uses words, a composer uses notes.”

To help explore some of the choices authors and composers make, the ICO will perform Sergei Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf,” a piece that has introduced orchestral instruments and delighted young listeners for generations. While listening to the masterpiece, students will help create word banks to describe the story that Prokofiev unfolds with both words and music.

The program includes audience participation and lots of great music; it also incorporates various educational resources to reveal the magic of orchestra sounds.

“Tall Tales and Long Tails” is sponsored by Indianapolis Public Schools, Any Given Child Indy, and the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra.

IPS schools interested in attending the concert should contact David Newman at newmand@myips.org to reserve spots for your students.

]]>Workshop Helps Students Transition to High Schoolhttps://ipsnewsroom.org/workshop-designed-to-help-students-make-a-successful-transition-to-high-school/
Wed, 20 Feb 2019 04:51:29 +0000https://ipsnewsroom.org/?p=207573On Thursday, Feb. 21, parents of current IPS 8th-graders are invited to the Making a Successful Transition to High School workshop to learn how to help students prepare for high school by managing college and career preparation and navigating resources.

The goal is to successfully prepare students to achieve the district’s 3Es: enrollment in college, enlistment in the military, or employment at a livable wage upon graduation.

Topics for the workshop include:

The Differences Between Middle School and High School

High School Requirements and What Tests are Required for Graduation

How to Support Your Student in Creating Good Study Habits and Test Taking Skills

Connecting Parents to Resources to Improve Student Achievement in High School

“Through a collaborative effort, each of the four IPS high schools and Stand for Children will provide a series of parental meetings to address the transitioning process for all 8th-grade students,” said Flora Jones, IPS Postsecondary Readiness director. “This is a time when parents can gain access to the many tools available in the high school setting, such as Naviance, PowerSchool, diploma requirements and pathway exploration.”

The workshop will be held at various times in multiple locations to accommodate parent’s schedules. The evening meetings will include dinner for participating parents (provided by the IPS Education Foundation).

Come and learn more about the IPS High School Experience! Meetings at IPS high schools will be held inside the school’s Future Center.

Making a Successful Transition to High School Meeting Times, Locations:

Teachers are often directed to develop lessons and curriculum that are engaging. For me, it started in college at Marquette University. One of my professors always emphasized: “Make learning meaningful and memorable.”

While we want students to be consistently engaged and motivated to be active participants in our lessons, it is also crucial that our curriculum allows for failure. Yes, failure. Creating a lesson solely for the sake of engagement does not develop true intrinsic motivation, and the opportunity to cultivate attributes essential for long-term success is missed.

Teachers need to integrate curriculum and programs that center on personal achievement and passion cultivation — lessons that force students to reflect upon what they are actually doing so they can set long-term goals that provide direction and meaning to effort.

If the driver of curriculum is solely for students to perform well on a standardized test, how are we playing a role in the development of their passions, perseverance in challenges or experience in accomplishing long-term goals? Without these experiences in passion cultivation and failure, there is no opportunity for growth and grit.

In my work with students in the classroom and in a summer employment program, the “grittier” students are the ones who are the hardest workers, the award winners, or students who stun me with their growth.

In the context of the summer employment program, students who had motivations behind their attendance to help support their families, find a path to college, or acquire their first job experience for a resume were interested in and even passionate about coming to work each day.

Even if a student didn’t know their personal long-term goal, the ones who achieved more recognized that at the very least they wanted to succeed in something long-term and were motivated to learn how, even when they encountered obstacles. They stuck with the program for more than one summer, cultivated relationships with community leaders, and found what they were passionate about in the midst of it all. Their intrinsic motivation helped them maintain an attitude that allowed them to take risks, to bounce back from any negative feedback, and to be open minded as they applied the life skills they were learning.

In my experiences, higher achievement in life — professional or educational — is not solely correlated with measurable intelligence. In actuality, for as long as we’ve measured “success,” intelligence has only been half of the equation. Researchers have identified grit, optimism and resilience as other factors.

In her book “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance,” Angela Duckworth, a psychologist and a former educator who received the MacArthur Fellowship in 2013 to continue her research in self-control and grit, defines grit as perseverance and a passion for long-term goals. Duckworth’s hypothesis and findings support the notion that grit is more of a predictor of success than talent and that anyone, regardless of gender and age, can learn to be “gritty.” Less is owed to genetics in the case of grit development and more to experience and self-perception, which can drive social mobility.

Even the creators of the first IQ test in the 1900s acknowledged that one’s success is equally dependent upon intelligence and other things beyond measurable intelligence. There are certain attitudes that attribute to characteristics that fuel the cultivation of grit, optimism being an essential one.

Students perceive that they are capable and have a positive attitude toward learning and even the possibility of finding success. With optimism can come courage and confidence — attributes that foster resilience through failure. A student with courage can manage their fear of failure and increase their ability to take risks. The extremely “gritty” students aren’t afraid to flop. Their grit is built through failure.

Resilience, another crucial attribute that facilitates growth in grit, requires courage and optimism when the outlook is perceived as negative. In his book “Resilience, Why Things Bounce Back,” Andrew Zolli writes that grit is comprised of finding a passion, perceived empowerment to influence one’s surroundings or outcome of events, and a belief that experiences, positive and negative, lead to learning and growth.

In my childhood home, “Attitude,” by Charles Swindoll, hung at eye level from the door handle on our refrigerator for the entirety of my middle school and high school years.

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. … It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. …,” wrote Swindoll. This was my mother’s constant reminder of how we should perceive and approach every situation in life. Risk-taking, optimism and resilience are more about attitude than anything else.

Attitude is significant to the outcome of education. A person’s attitude opens the door to development of attributes, that are greater predictors of success and achievement than raw talent and measurable intellect. Attitude and perception make the attributes, like grit, essential to high achievement possible.

Maybe as educators we just need to find ways to instill in students the attitudes that force them to develop the habit of always seeking excellence. Excellence, not perfection — which is a hallucination of someone else’s ideal — but a mindset for success that allows for vulnerability and failure, prioritizing self-progress and cultivating grit as a crucial byproduct.

For Cecilia Mimms, a longtime IPS educator, winning girls’ basketball coach and former star basketball player, being called a legend is nothing new. It’s also not something she dwells on or even thinks about regularly.

But Cathedral High School might soon change that.

On Friday, February 8, Mimms will receive what some would call the ultimate recognition for a former player: A court named in her honor.

The dedication of the Cecilia M. Mimms ’77 Gymnasium will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Cathedral High School, 5225 E. 56th St.

It’s an honor that elicits a range of emotions in Mimms, who works as a life skills teacher and basketball and volleyball coach at Northwest Middle School (formerly Northwest High School).

“Kathy Welsh (a former Cathedral teammate) called one day and said, ‘What do you think about us naming the gym for you?’ said Mimms. “My mouth just kind of dropped. … I was just blown away that a school with the reputation (Cathedral) has, with its spiritual connection, its reputation for development. … I could say so many things about Cathedral. And they named their court after little old me?”

Mimms’ connection and contribution to Cathedral goes back decades.

In 1977, she was a member of the school’s first women’s basketball team after Cathedral became co-ed during her senior year of high school. (Mimms attended the all-girls Ladywood-St. Agnes until it merged with Cathedral, a former all-boys school.) She also had varsity letters in volleyball and track, was an Indiana All-Star and was named to the Indianapolis and Metro All-Star teams that year.

By then, Mimms and her teammates were in the midst of a winning streak that would exceed 70 games over three years. Their run ended at the hands of rival Arsenal Technical High School, which Cathedral had beaten twice that year.

Mimms went on to play basketball at Vincennes and Western Kentucky universities, earning a degree in education. During the early 1980s, however, there weren’t any competitive playing options for Mimms after graduating from college (the WNBA didn’t begin until the late 1990s), so she set her sights on teaching and only dreamed of coaching.

Then Susan Jahnke, Arsenal Tech’s head coach, reached out.

“She called me and said, ‘I’d like you to take over my team,’” said Mimms. “‘Come be my assistant for a year, see how I do things.’ So, after she retired, I took over as we discussed, and next thing I know nine years had passed.”

It was Mimms’ first coaching job.

At Arsenal Tech, Mimms won three city titles. She also taught and coached at both School 72 (Emma Donnan) and Northwest High School. After nine years, she took a leave of absence from coaching (basketball, volleyball and track) that stretched over several years.

Supporters wouldn’t let her stay gone.

“My principal (at Northwest) came back to me and said, ‘You’re wasting your talent. We need you back.’ And they really played to my ego. That’s how I got back.”

That ego-play? Posters put up around the school claiming “A Legend is Returning” in reference to Mimms. The culprit? Longtime friend and IPS employee Deatra Cannon-Young.

“We were putting the posters all over the school, and young ladies wanted to come out (and play for her),” said Cannon-Young, who has known Mimms for 20 years but admits she didn’t understand the depth of her friend’s accomplishments on the hardwood.

“It went right over my head. I’m not a sports person,” said Cannon-Young about Mimms’ notoriety. “(But during one game) there was a parent in the stands rooting for the other team, and he said he could tell we were better coached.”

Cannon-Young can’t contain her excitement about the gym dedication. “I have been telling EVERYONE,” she said. “I definitely understand how important it is.”

For Mimms, the honor is not just the culmination of a career not yet over. It’s also validation of a lifetime spent trying to do things the right way, being an example, and passing those values down for generations to come.

“What I learned from my high school coach is it isn’t all about basketball. It’s about building a strong foundation and character, and developing the player as well as the athlete,” said Mimms, who made Cathedral’s Silver Anniversary Team (2002) and was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame (2003). “When I’m out at places, I see some of my old players, and they tell me, ‘I do this in my life because of how you influenced me.’ For me, that’s the biggest sense of gratitude you can have as a coach.”

For tickets to the dedication of the Cecilia M. Mimms ’77 Gymnasium, click here.

]]>IPS Holds 38th Annual Tribute to the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.https://ipsnewsroom.org/ips-holds-38th-annual-tribute-to-the-life-and-legacy-of-dr-martin-luther-king-jr/
Tue, 19 Feb 2019 23:25:48 +0000https://ipsnewsroom.org/?p=207516(January 14, 2019) The Indianapolis Public Schools’ Office of Racial Equity will sponsor the 38th annual tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Friday, January 18, from 10 – 11 a.m. at Crispus Attucks High School, located at 1140 Martin Luther King Jr. St. The program will be televised via live stream and viewed in classrooms throughout the school district and in the community via WFYI Productions.

This year’s theme is “Together We Rise.” Indianapolis City-County Council President Vop Osili will serve as the keynote speaker. Emmy award-winning former television news anchor, reporter, and public affairs director Angela Cain will emcee the event. Musical tributes will feature the Crispus Attucks High School Concert Choir and the young scholars of Building Blocks Academy. IPS interim superintendent Aleesia Johnson and IPS school commissioner Venita Moore will also bring greetings.

“Indianapolis Public Schools is proud to present this annual program designed to help our students, staff and community understand the critical importance of applying Dr. King’s teachings to our own lives so that his words become our actions,” said Patricia Payne, event coordinator and director of the IPS Racial Equity Office. “Time is of the essence and the urgency of now looms before us.”

Following the program, the IPS Crispus Attucks Museum, located next to the school’s gymnasium, will be open to visitors. The program and museum are free and open to the public.

IPS schools will be closed on Monday, January 21 in observance of the national holiday, commemorating the birthday of Dr. King.

]]>IPS School Board Welcomes New Members for 2019https://ipsnewsroom.org/ips-school-board-welcomes-new-members-for-2019/
Tue, 19 Feb 2019 23:24:29 +0000https://ipsnewsroom.org/?p=207513(January 8, 2019) – Three new members were sworn onto the Indianapolis Public Schools Board of School Commissioners on Monday night during the annual Organization Day meeting. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett lead Susan Collins, Evan Hawkins and Taria Slack in the oath of office before they signed paperwork making their positions official.

Evan Hawkins represents District 3. He’s a Marian University administrator and an IPS parent.

Taria Slack represents District 5. She’s a federal worker and an IPS parent.

After the swearing-in, the Board re-elected the current officers.

Michael O’Connor continues as president for a second term. He was elected vice president in 2017. O’Connor was appointed to the District 1 seat in 2015 and elected in 2016. He is the senior director of state government affairs at Eli Lilly and Company and a former Indianapolis deputy mayor under Mayor Bart Peterson.

Venita Moore enters her second term as vice president. She won the District 2 seat in November 2016. She is a graduate of Arlington High School and is a managing principal at Engaging Solutions, a business consulting firm. Moore is also an inductee to the IPS Alumni Hall of Fame and previously served as deputy secretary for the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration.

Elizabeth Gore was re-elected secretary for the third consecutive year. Gore won the November 2016 election for one of the district’s at-large seats. She is a graduate of Crispus Attucks High School and has previously served as President of the Board of School Commissioners. She also led the Parent Teacher Association at Arsenal Technical High School when her children attended.

Commissioner Diane Arnold (District 4) rounds out the Board and will continue the work of the district alongside the new commissioners and re-elected officers.

]]>Thrival Academy Students Leave for Thailand This Weekhttps://ipsnewsroom.org/thrival-academy-students-leave-for-thailand-this-week/
Tue, 19 Feb 2019 23:22:11 +0000https://ipsnewsroom.org/?p=207510(January 3, 2019) — Students in the newest high school program within Indianapolis Public Schools will take off for Thailand this week for a three-month learning adventure of a lifetime. Thrival Academy: Indy, a group consisting of nearly 40 students, four teachers and their school leader, will leave on Friday, January 4, 2019. But, before they go, they’ll enjoy a departure party with their families and members of the community Thursday, January 3, 2019 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kingsley Terrace Church of Christ, located at 2031 N. 30th St. in Indianapolis.

Thrival Academy: Indy was started as a pilot program in IPS during the 2017-18 school year. This school year, it expanded to a full high school withing a high school and is based on the campus of Arsenal Technical High School. Thrival is open to high school sophomores and is a rigorous, yearlong high school education program dedicated to providing students from underserved communities access to a free, personalized and culturally immersive education abroad, regardless of race or socioeconomic background. Students earn all of their required credits for the year and spend three months living and learning in Thailand. The curriculum is project-based to include migration, conservation, mining and development, and farming and agriculture. Students spent the first semester in the classroom taking core classes while also studying the language and culture of Thailand as they prepare for their international learning experience.

Meet the group and learn more about Thrival Academy: Indy as families and members of the community share well-wishes at Thursday’s send-off celebration while enjoying food, a DJ and photo area. There will also be a brief ceremony as parents hand out the passports to their students.

]]>IPS Approves a New Contract That Includes Highest Teacher Raises in Three Yearshttps://ipsnewsroom.org/ips-approves-a-new-contract-that-includes-highest-teacher-raises-in-three-years/
Tue, 19 Feb 2019 23:20:02 +0000https://ipsnewsroom.org/?p=207506(December 20, 2018) — The Indianapolis Public Schools Board of School Commissioners unanimously approved a new collective bargaining agreement with the Indianapolis Education Association (IEA) at Thursday night’s Board Action Session. The approved contract for the current 2018-19 school year means the district’s nearly 2,000 eligible teachers will receive a significant raise. The salary ncrease totals $5.2 million (with benefits) ranking IPS as the second-highest paying public school district in the city.

“We are pleased to complete one of the biggest salary compensation increases with the IEA in three years,” said Superintendent Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee. “These substantial teacher raises were made possible thanks to the recent successful passage of the operating referendum. Now, we can adequately compensate those on the front lines of educating our children for performance and loyalty through salary and benefits.”

“We are proud that this agreement makes a major step toward rectifying the existing pay gap between IPS and surrounding school districts,” said Indianapolis Education Association President Ronald Swann. “We look forward to working with IPS and our IEA members over the next year as we fight for increased funding at the state level and collaboratively make decisions about the future of teacher compensation in the district.”

Teachers will receive retroactive pay meaning they will get back pay dating to the start of the contract.

]]>Indianapolis Public Schools Gains Momentum with Cenergistic’s Sustainability Program, Positioned to Reach Goal of $7.5M Savings Over 5 Year Partnershiphttps://ipsnewsroom.org/indianapolis-public-schools-gains-momentum-with-cenergistics-sustainability-program-positioned-to-reach-goal-of-7-5m-savings-over-5-year-partnership/
Tue, 19 Feb 2019 23:18:38 +0000https://ipsnewsroom.org/?p=207504December 18, 2018 — Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) partnered with Cenergistic in June of 2018 to implement their Sustainability Program and has had outstanding momentum thus far with 14.3% energy savings and $910,755 in utility cost savings. At this trajectory, IPS is positioned to reach its goal of over $7.5M in net savings over the five-year contract term.

“Working with a company like Cenergistic to dramatically reduce our energy consumption is critical to the financial success of our school district,” said Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee, IPS Superintendent, in June. “Ultimately, the success of this program will enable us to close our funding gaps, continue our path of raising compensation, and key programming important to student achievement.”

The program provides full-time onsite Cenergistic Energy Specialists equipped with Cenergistic’s Ceres cloud-based, machine learning software which augments system monitoring and provides real-time data for immediate resolution of inefficiencies. IPS personnel work closely with Cenergistic engineers and M&V (Measurement & Verification) experts to audit and optimize energy usage and equipment across all buildings and facilities throughout the district.

“I’m excited about what I’ve seen them do with other clients across the country. They’re a good firm with a strong, proven track record and the success they’ve generated at other locations is an encouraging indicator for the success we’ll achieve,” stated Scott Martin, IPS Deputy Superintendent for Operations, in June. “I’m confident we’re going to be able to utilize the resources they bring to save the district and taxpayers critical capital and general fund dollars.”

District officials have already begun to see a mindset of energy conservation developing among faculty, staff and students since the implementation of the program, with hopes for a more sustainable future. The program will also help the district qualify for sought-after ENERGY STAR® certifications of their buildings with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as receive recognition for energy innovation and efficiency through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Initiative.

]]>Amazon Gives Big Donation to IPS Education Foundation for District Homeless Initiativeshttps://ipsnewsroom.org/amazon-gives-big-donation-to-ips-education-foundation-for-district-homeless-initiatives/
Tue, 19 Feb 2019 23:10:27 +0000https://ipsnewsroom.org/?p=207502(December 17, 2018) —The Indianapolis Public Schools Education Foundation will receive $15,000 from Amazon to support programs serving homeless students and families across Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS). It is one of several organizations that will benefit from $180,000 in donations from Amazon given to organizations that serve central Indiana.

To celebrate the occasion, Amazon and local associates will host a Winter Wonderland at Ralph Waldo Emerson School 58, located at 321 Linwood Ave., where they’ll surprise the organizations with checks. Additionally, more than 300 elementary students from the school will attend the event getting a big dose of holiday cheer. The event includes photos with Santa Claus, holiday games, cookie decorating and a reading area. Students will leave with goodie bags filled with treats, toys and Amazon Book Boxes to take home.

As a partner to IPS, the IPS Education Foundation raises funds to support students, teachers and classrooms. The IPS Education Foundation will receive the donation and help distribute the funds across the District, providing additional critical resources for students and families.

“We are grateful to be included in Amazon’s Holiday Giving campaign supporting homeless youth in our community,” said Stephannie Bailey, IPS Education Foundation Executive Director. “Each day, there are IPS students across all grade levels who face challenges accessing food, shelter and stability. This partnership with Amazon will provide additional critical resources to help our students have equitable access to fulfill basic needs.”

“Serving students in an urban school district brings unique challenges that unfortunately includes a high rate of homelessness,” said IPS interim superintendent Aleesia Johnson. “We have many initiatives already in place to assist our families, but this donation from Amazon will boost our efforts to ensure stability for our students so they can focus on learning in the classroom.”

]]>IPS Students Hand out Bags of Cheer for the Holidayshttps://ipsnewsroom.org/ips-students-hand-out-bags-of-cheer-for-the-holidays/
Tue, 19 Feb 2019 23:08:22 +0000https://ipsnewsroom.org/?p=207500(December 14, 2018) — Indianapolis Public Schools students at Eleanor Skillen School 34, located at 1410 Wade St., learned the importance of giving without receiving. Today, every student in grades Pre-K through grade six handed out Bags of Cheer to community partners and others who give to their school. Students gave away approximately 500 bags. The school’s mission was to transform lives and learn the value of being kind.

“It shows that no matter your circumstance, you always have something to give,” said Jennifer Beutler, social worker at Eleanor Skillen.

Some students stayed at school and handed out bags to partners invited to the building, including Paws and Think, an organization that brings dogs for visits to help children sharpen their reading skills. Other students boarded busses and hit the road to make special deliveries to various partners. Those visits included Sigster, Chick-Fil-A, Southeast Community Center, Indianapolis Public Library and the Indianapolis Fire Department. Students also spread a little cheer at IPS Central Services and Monument Circle.

Each bag contained hot chocolate with a candy cane, dog treats, gift tags decorated by students and a Christmas craft. This is the third year for Bags of Cheer, a program spearheaded by the school’s Positive Behavior Intervention and Support Team.

]]>Indianapolis Public Schools Announces Interim Superintendenthttps://ipsnewsroom.org/indianapolis-public-schools-announces-interim-superintendent-2/
Tue, 19 Feb 2019 22:59:26 +0000https://ipsnewsroom.org/?p=207497(December 7, 2018) — Aleesia Johnson, IPS Deputy Superintendent for Academics will serve as Indianapolis Public Schools’ interim superintendent. The district made the announcement this afternoon. Current superintendent Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee’s last day will be January 4, 2019, after which Johnson will fill the position. Ferebee was recently announced as the next Chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools. Members of the IPS Board of School Commissioners made the appointment with a unanimous vote of 7-0.

“The Board of School Commissioners has every confidence that Aleesia Johnson is the right fit to lead our district through this interim phase,” said Michael O’Connor, president of the IPS Board of School Commissioners. “She has a proven track record of effectively supporting educators and is extremely passionate about providing all students high quality school options.”

“Since assuming the role of Deputy Superintendent for Academics, Aleesia has already made significant strides to make sure our students are prepared now more than ever to succeed”, said Dr. Ferebee. “Her attention to detail and drive to make sure every student has the best opportunity and environment to grow, flourish and thrive will continue the district’s upward trajectory.”

Johnson, an educator for over 16 years, has worked in a number of roles throughout Indianapolis, including most recently as Innovation Officer and Deputy Superintendent for Academics for IPS. As Deputy Superintendent, she sets the vision and oversees the implementation of academic strategies that lead to increased student academic outcomes and post-secondary success based on the district’s 3Es (preparing students for enrollment in a two- or four-year college or university, enlistment in the military or employment at a livable wage upon graduation). During her tenure in the district, she has successfully led efforts to expand school-based autonomy across the district, develop the Innovation Network Schools model, and launch the Post-Secondary Readiness team to further support the district’s 3E goals.

A native of Evansville, Ind., Aleesia comes from a long line of educators including her grandfather, Anthony Brooks, one of the few African-American administrators in the Evansville area in the 1970s and 1980s. Aleesia is the first African-American female to serve as superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools.

“It is with great honor and humility that I will serve in this role,” said Johnson. “As a member of TeamIPS, I’ve worked with numerous people who are passionate about providing all of our students with the high-quality education that they deserve. I carry that same passion with me and will do my very best to serve our students, our families, our staff members, and our community well.”

]]>IPS High School Students Showcase Career Finder Appshttps://ipsnewsroom.org/ips-high-school-students-showcase-career-finder-apps/
Tue, 19 Feb 2019 22:57:57 +0000https://ipsnewsroom.org/?p=207495(December 7, 2018) Computer Science Education Week ends with a major accomplishment for more than 60 students from Arsenal Tech and George Washington high schools. Today, they will showcase new trivia apps they created to address a range of topics, including finding a career. Students wanted to help themselves and their peers learn about available careers related to the pathways taught at their schools. To address this need, they learned to code apps, added unique features and interviewed industry professionals to better understand a potential career path in computer science.

Today’s showcase is part of an end of semester event for the IUPUI Informatics Diversity-Enhanced Workforce (iDEW) program taking place at the IUPUI Campus Center, 420 University Blvd., Room 450C, from 9 to 11 a.m. 22 teams of three students representing both schools will be sharing their apps.

iDEW began as a partnership between the Indiana University School of Informatics and Computing at IUPUI and JPMorgan Chase. The program was an enormous success in its pilot phase in the first three years at three Indianapolis high schools—Arsenal Technical, Providence Cristo Rey, and Pike—where over 400 students completed a problem-based and project-based curriculum designed and taught by faculty from the School of Informatics and Computing. Five new high schools were added in 2018 including George Washington, Herron, McKenzie Career Center, Riverside, and Southport.

Students participate in iDEW through their high school senior years, diving in to new projects and learning modules as they advance through the program. Many will earn professional IT certifications that prepare them for the workforce or for going on to two-year or four- year academic paths in informatics.

]]>IPS Students Participate in Hour of Codehttps://ipsnewsroom.org/ips-students-participate-in-hour-of-code/
Tue, 19 Feb 2019 22:56:15 +0000https://ipsnewsroom.org/?p=207493(December 5, 2018) Indianapolis Public Schools is thrilled to partner with TechPoint to host several Hour of Code events this week as a part of National Computer Science Education Week. The Hour of Code is a global learning event designed to give students a fun first introduction to computer science. This year, more than 1,000 IPS students will enjoy the one-hour activities designed for students in kindergarten and up. These activities require no experience and can be run on computer browsers, tablets, smartphones and more.

Computer Science is rapidly changing every industry, meaning every student should have the opportunity to learn how to create technology. These concepts also nurture creativity and problem-solving skills to prepare students for any future career.

Below is a list of the Hour of Code activities taking place in IPS schools the rest of this week and the partners facilitating each event:

The Indianapolis Public Schools Board of School Commissioners is aware that Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee has accepted the position of Chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools. We are happy for Dr. Ferebee and we are proud of his work on behalf of the students in our district. We wish him and his family nothing but success in their future endeavors, and the important work of making sure that all children have a high quality education available to them.

IPS remains focused on the work we do on behalf of our children and families. The Board of School Commissioners will meet soon to discuss transition decisions, interim leadership and a new leadership selection process. We are committed to making sure that our schools and our children lose no momentum in the progress we are making and that the IPS System continues on our path to providing a world-class education to all our students through the hard work of our principals and our teachers.

]]>IPS 2017-18 School Accountability Grades Show Positive Growthhttps://ipsnewsroom.org/ips-2017-18-school-accountability-grades-show-positive-growth/
Tue, 19 Feb 2019 22:47:41 +0000https://ipsnewsroom.org/?p=207488(November 14, 2018) — The recently released 2017-18 school accountability grades show improvement in the number of Indianapolis Public Schools that have increased their performance. While the overall district letter grade remains unchanged, the numeric grade has increased from 64.7 in 2017 to 68 in 2018. The district growth score for grades 4-8 also improved by three points from 86.8 to 89.6. Grades 10-12 showed the greatest improvement, increasing their scores almost 15 points from 79.4 to 94.2. While a quarter of IPS schools saw an improvement in their school’s letter grade, nearly half saw an increase in growth points.

Crispus Attucks and Shortridge high schools saw strong improvement in each of their overall letter grades, respectively. George Washington and Arsenal Technical mained the same. IPS is confident this upward trend will continue due to several new initiatives including a focus on ninth grade through the implementation of the Freshman Academy and Freshman-On-Track data supports. The recent launch of IPS Future Centers and College and Career academies in each high school also cultivates and supports student performance at the secondary level.

For K-8 schools, student outcomes have been positively impacted by the increase of Teacher Leadership opportunities and the expansion of Opportunity Culture across the district. Coupled with the implementation of Learning Community Support Teams (cross-functional teams that provide aligned and personalized supports) to High Quality Teaching and Learning, IPS is strategically positioning its best teachers to make the greatest impact in these leadership roles. The district is also encouraged by the launch of the Brain Institute, which includes participation from 40 schools. Together, they’re developing more responsive, brain-based, trauma-informed practices that will help the students IPS serves.

“Strong school-level and classroom leadership continues to be a key component when addressing students’ unique needs,” said IPS Superintendent Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee. “As we consistently build our talent base of leaders and entrust them with more autonomy, we expect ongoing and continuous improvement districtwide.”

IPS believes the underlying strategy is moving the district in the right direction and is proud of each school that’s shown progress over time. While IPS has made positive strides, there is still much work to do and the district is committed to continuous improvement.

]]>IPS Presents the 5th Annual Showcase of Schoolshttps://ipsnewsroom.org/ips-presents-the-5th-annual-showcase-of-schools/
Tue, 19 Feb 2019 22:46:05 +0000https://ipsnewsroom.org/?p=207484(November 1, 2018) Finding the right school for your child often takes time, effort, lots of research and maybe even a little help. That’s why Indianapolis Public Schools is excited to present its 5th Annual Showcase of Schools. This education and enrollment fair offers access to all 70-plus schools and programs under one roof on Saturday, November 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St. The event takes over all three floors inside the museum.

In addition to being able to talk to school representatives about academic programming, extracurricular activities and school resources, families will also have an opportunity to engage with community organizations such as the Center for Leadership Development, Girls Inc., Young Actors Theatre, 21st Century Scholars and more. Families can enroll on-site in the districtwide Choice Application Lottery for a chance to get into IPS’ coveted Choice programs for the 2019-20 school year.

Guests will receive free admission and parking, as well as free food from the Bus Stop Cafe, the district’s food bus. Student groups will provide entertainment throughout the morning.

“Showcase is a family’s best opportunity to experience all of what IPS has to offer in one location and at one time,” said Patrick Herrel, director of Enrollment and Options. “Rather than traveling from school to school over multiple days to explore IPS’ many programs and offerings, families can meet with leaders, learn about programs, and get on-site support for their students’ unique needs.”

]]>IPS Celebrates Top Teachers for Excellencehttps://ipsnewsroom.org/ips-celebrates-top-teachers-for-excellence/
Tue, 19 Feb 2019 22:43:34 +0000https://ipsnewsroom.org/?p=207481(October 29, 2018) — On Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, IPS Superintendent Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee and members of the IPS Board of School Commissioners will honor the 2019 IPS Teacher and the Year, the nine finalists, and the building-level teachers of the year during an invitation-only dinner. The media is invited to attend this special event tomorrow night at 6 p.m. at the Lilly Research Laboratories, 728 Alabama St. (at the corner of Delaware St. and Henry St.; behind the Irsay Family YMCA).

The event is held each year to celebrate these educators for the work that they do for IPS students, but also for their dedication to education in general.

In addition to an awards presentation, the dinner will include reflections and remarks from the 2018 IPS Teacher of the Year, Kathleen Rauth, and an address from the 2019 IPS Teacher of the Year, Alexandria Stewart.

Alexandria Stewart was nominated by Center for Inquiry School 70
Ms. Stewart has been a teacher for nearly five years. She currently teaches middle school at CFI 70. She helped design and implement a new middle school program. Stewart believes learning is social and best stimulated when students question, experiment, bounce ideas off one another and become confident taking risks. We are thrilled that Ms. Stewart is representing the teachers of IPS.

This year’s top finalists are (in alphabetical order):

Chris Boylan — nominated by George Washington High School
Mr. Boylan has been a life skills teacher for 17 years — with 16 of those years at George Washington. He also serves as the unified track and field coach and president of the George Washington High School Dollars for Scholars Chapter. During his career, Chris has been an advocate for families of students with special needs — presenting to groups locally, regionally and nationally on a range of topics to benefit his students. A product of IPS himself, Chris attended district schools from Grades K-12 and graduated from Northwest High School.

Erik Catellier — nominated by Center for Inquiry School 2
Mr. Catellier (or Mr. Cat, as his students call him) is a Grades 6-8 language arts teacher at CFI 2. It’s a position he’s held since 2012. Mr. Cat began his teaching career at Arsenal Technical High School in 2008. Diagnosed with dyslexia in first grade, he believes this learning disability has allowed him to be a successful teacher — helping him excel in breaking down information in new and interesting ways, building relationships with students and differentiating classroom activities to appeal to a variety of learners and skill levels.

Jordan Fath — nominated by Thomas Gregg Neighborhood School
Ms. Fath has served as a special education teacher for Grades 2-8 at Thomas Gregg Neighborhood School since 2014. Education, however, wasn’t her initial career choice. Ms. Fath received her bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management from Purdue University, but later went back to school to receive her master’s in teaching from Marian University. Ms. Fath believes teaching is her life’s calling and says her desire to do work that matters led her to education. A member of the IPS Diversity Cadre and the Thomas Gregg School Culture and Community Engagement Committee, Ms. Fath is committed to educating reluctant and marginalized students.

Kristin Gladish — nominated by Newcomer Program
Ms. Gladish has been a teacher for nine years. She currently teaches music at the IPS Newcomer Program. She started and built the music program at the school last year. Ms. Gladish works with newly arrived immigrant and refugee students, many of whom suffer from trauma and have had a severely interrupted formal education. She believes in the therapeutic power of music.

Rachel Head — nominated by Center for Inquiry School 84
Ms. Head is a first-grade teacher at CFI 84. She has held this position for the last four years. She supports students in many ways – both in and out of the classroom, including serving as co-director of the CFI 84 musical, leader of the Theater Club, High Ability coordinator, and member of the School Equity and School Leadership teams. She also values an education that includes student voices, questions and authentic discoveries.

Jamie Rickard — nominated by Broad Ripple High School
Mr. Rickard has spent 15 years teaching — all of them in IPS. He currently works at Crispus Attucks High School. But, he was teaching history and government at Broad Ripple when he was nominated last year. He plans and uses innovative and research-based strategies that engage students in meaningful tasks. He takes great joy in being a part of the school community in many capacities including coaching athletics, serving on committees, attending school functions and even playing in the band.

Paige Sjoerdsma — nominated by IPS/Butler University Laboratory School 60
Ms. Sjoerdsma has been a teacher for five years — all of them in IPS. She currently teaches English Language Arts in Grades 6-7 at IPS Butler Lab 60. Paige is devoted to creating equitable education for all students — that includes fighting systemic racism.

Michael Smith — nominated by Arlington High School
Mr. Smith has served the students of Indianapolis Public Schools for the past two years, initially teaching Secondary English Language Arts to freshmen at Arlington High School. He’s now a teacher at George Washington High School. Mr. Smith has made it his life’s goal to ensure all students — regardless of their socio-economic background — have access to a quality education through his work in the classroom and Teach for America. He often designs classroom lessons around student interests.

Eric Vanveelen — nominated by SUPER School 19
Mr. Vanveelen has been teaching for nearly three years — all of them at IPS. Here’s currently a teacher at Center for Inquiry School 27. But, when he was nominated last year, he was teaching second grade at SUPER School. He aims to teach the “whole student,” going beyond their academic needs and taking into account the emotional, mental and physical needs of the students.